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Chapter Text

Hinata Shoyou had a bit of an issue. It started a week ago when he arrived back to school starting his third year at Karasuno and found his best friend and rival practicing serves in the gym. There wasn’t much physically different at all, maybe Kageyama had gotten a bit stronger, so his serves were making a louder thud on the ground. But he was still Kageyama. So Shoyou really couldn’t understand why his heart was getting out of control at the sight.

He was snapped out of it by Kageyama poking fun at him for ‘admiring his genius’ or something. They fell into their routine quickly, volleyball, sarcastic comment, volleyball. But the entire time Shoyou found himself staring helplessly at the way Kageyama’s chest puffed when he was particularly proud of a set. Or how his eyes became clearer once the ball was in the air. Once or twice Shoyou had to be yelled at to toss the ball up for him because he was getting lost in thought.

Throughout the rest of that first week Shoyou was losing it. The issue had just grown, now distracting him from his normal thoughts about volleyball and... well only volleyball. He found bits of Kageyama everywhere, from the milk in the vending machines to the fine point sharpies at school. He could conjure up any reason to think about Kageyama.

And what was worse was when he was there. Like now, as Kageyama reached to untie the volleyball net after practice. It was still graceful, like he’d die if making any unnecessary movements. Shoyou had been collecting the last of the volleyballs and now stood with three balanced between his arms. He might as well be drooling.

“Hinata?” Yamaguchi waved a hand around in his face with a little smile.

Shoyou blushed, having been caught, “oh! Sorry, let me just put these away so we can go home.”

Yamaguchi, Karasuno’s #1 and captain now that they had made it to third year, gave him a solid thumbs up and went back to wiping down the floors. He was gracious and allowed their underclassmen to leave early since it was the weekend, and they should get ahead on homework. But that left the four third years, five if you counted Yachi who was writing feverishly in a notebook in the corner, to clean the gym themselves.

After depositing the balls in their rightful place and wheeling the cart to the storage room, Shoyou made his way to the club room. He smacked himself a few times on the cheeks and shook his head out, trying to clear it. This really was not good; he couldn’t be getting distracted now!

“Hey, Hinata is everything okay?” Yamaguchi asked.

Shoyou jumped, not even realizing the taller boy had followed him up. He looked down at his hands on his lap and tried to come up with an explanation but found he couldn’t. He was saved when Yamaguchi cleared his throat.

“You’ve just been pretty distracted all week, spacing out more than usual. Is there anything you want to talk about? If not with me then I can see if Coach Ukai or Takeda would be willing to! And we have a great counselor!” Yamaguchi moved to sit beside Shoyou on the bench who was now fidgeting nervously with his fingers.

“Well, actually, I-” Shoyou began but was interrupted by the club room door swinging open harshly.

“Always the royal king aren’t you Kageyama!” Tsukishima was grumbling, stomping by Shoyou and Yamaguchi. Oblivious to the serious mood he had just crushed.

“How long are you going to call me that, it was like 3 years ago! Besides, I- Hinata you freaking out or something?” Kageyama cut himself off when he looked to where Shoyou had buried his head in his hands with Yamaguchi patting his back.

“No, shut up,” Shoyou mumbled through his fingers. He could not look at Kageyama right now. This was too much.

Yamaguchi glared daggers at Kageyama and Tsukishima, who did indeed shut up and began to gather their things to go home for the weekend.

“You want to come round my house tomorrow to talk about it?” Yamguchi offered.

Shoyou perked up immediately, eyes essentially molding to stars as he stared. He had been to Yamaguchi’s house only twice before, but he loved every minute of his. Yamaguchi’s moms were so nice to him, and his little sister liked to compete with Shoyou in all the Mario videogames. Shoyou almost always lost.

“Can I really?” Shoyou replied, awe-struck.

Yamaguchi laughed, “of course! I’m sure Chaki would love to see you again. She’s been getting frustrated losing to me all the time.”

Shoyou couldn’t even pay attention to the assumption that he’d lose regardless and instead beamed at Yamaguchi with all he had. He got ready to leave quickly then, as if that would make tomorrow arrive faster.

“Hinata, wait up,” Kageyama said just as he was about to leave.

Shoyou’s heart spasmed as he stopped abruptly at the doorway. He didn’t turn around but just waited for Kageyama to catch up to him.

“What’s up Kageyama!” he said. It had been three years that the two had been partners, so Shoyou could easily fall into the rhythm he knew so well when interacting with Kageyama. That didn’t stop him from internally freaking out though.

“You were slower today, what’s wrong with you?” Kageyama asked. Shoyou had also gotten used to this, Kageyama said things like he was constantly attacking you but really, he just didn’t know how to be gentle.

“Nothing, sheesh. My brain was hurting after so much math today, that’s all. Don’t worry about me, Kageyama,” Shoyou said, finally turning around to look at Kageyama.

He stood directly in front of him, eyes all serious and concentrated like he got when he was setting. He was searching Shoyou’s face for something, but Kageyama was never good at reading people outside of volleyball. Shoyou, on the other hand, was starstruck with how close Kageyama had gotten.

“Can you two be normal and not block our only exit?” Tsukishima grumbled, shoving Kageyama who fell into Shoyou. He stumbled backwards until he hit the railing, Kageyama catching himself with hands on either side of Shoyou’s body.

He looked up into Kageyama’s eyes and saw the way his pupils were blown, unfocused as he looked at the ground a story below them. His breath was a bit shaky from the adrenaline. This was it. He was finished. Sorry Natsu, Shoyou was going to die right here and then and wouldn’t be home to read to you tonight.

“Tsukishima you asshole!” Kageyama had turned his head to yell at the blonde who just looked pleased with himself.

Yamaguchi gave him a slap to the back of the head and shoved Kageyama away from Shoyou. He grabbed Shoyou’s hand and looked at him concerned.

“You alright? Sorry Tsukki shouldn’t have done that. It was DANGEROUS,” Yamaguchi yelled the last part so Tsukishima could obviously hear it. He cringed. Yamaguchi had taken the team’s spot as concerned mother and nobody wanted to mess with him.

After that incident, Shoyou was able to make it home unscathed. Well, as unscathed as he could with a 30-minute mountain bike ride. He spent the whole ride trying to keep his eyes on the road and not daydream about the way Kageyama had loomed over him, the way his eyes looked up close.

He failed.

****

The next morning, he texted Yamaguchi bright and early, going out for an early run and coming home to a reply saying he could show up anytime. Shoyou did not hesitate, packing some volleyball clothes and snacks in a bag before taking off to Yamaguchi’s.

The ride there he took his time to think about the best ways to use Kirby in Super Smash Bros in order to beat Chaki. He’d have to get Kenma to tutor him on this at some point.

When he arrived at the Yamaguchi household he was bouncing with excitement and his knock on the door may have been too loud. It only took a second before Chaki opened the door and threw her arms around his legs, pulling him inside.

“Hi Chaki-chan!” Shoyou laughed, reached down to wrap his arms around her as well. She had grown a lot in the time he’d known her, being a whole 9 years old now.

“Shoyouoooo!” She squealed, barely letting him switch his shoes for some slippers before dragging him to the couch where, as predicted, Smash Bros was open and waiting.

Yamaguchi poked his head in the room just as he was sitting down on the couch and laughed out loud.

“Chaki, Hinata did not come over just to play videogames with you, okay? You get one game right now and then we’re going upstairs to talk,” Yamaguchi chastised, sitting beside Shoyou with an apologetic look.

Shoyou only reassured him, and the match was over very quickly. Somehow, he had gotten worse. Chaki had chosen Pikachu and Shoyou couldn’t even catch her once to use Kirby’s power. He was pulverized and by the end Chaki was laughing like maniac while Shoyou pouted and set his controller down on the table.

“Okay Chaki, he’ll come back and play more later, I’m sure. But for now, you just focus on perfecting your combos so you can beat me, okay?” Yamaguchi teased, ruffling his little sister’s hair.

Shoyou watched the display of brotherly affection with familiarity, loving how much Yamaguchi’s relationship with Chaki reminded him of his with Natsu. Maybe he could convince Yamaguchi to let the girls have a play date, not that Natsu would want anything to do with videogames. Maybe Chaki would like to pass a volleyball around with Natsu?

“Come on Hinata, sorry about that. Moms left us some snacks, but they went out shopping this morning. They should be back soon, though,” Yamaguchi led him upstairs.

His room hadn’t ever changed much, only the occasional poster switches out when he really liked a new anime or musical artist. He had a wall of pictures from over the years with the club, but by far had the most of Tsukishima and himself. Always with Yamaguchi holding a peace sign and Tsukishima looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. That was he default though, he supposed.

“So, what’s been bothering you?” Yamaguchi patted the spot next to him as he sat down on the bed.

Shoyou was quick to take it, turning to look up at Yamaguchi with desperate eyes. He hadn’t had these feelings before, and they were quickly turning overwhelming. Shoyou was so glad to have someone to talk to about this.

“Kageyama, Kageyama has been bothering me,” Shoyou began.

Yamaguchi drew back and his face fell a bit, “he hasn’t been hurting you, has he? I know he can be a little aggressive, but it always looked like good fun. Oh god, have I been missing it this whole time?”

Shoyou put a hand out to stop Yamaguchi, “no, nothing like that. It only started a week ago when I saw Kageyama hitting serves in the gym. He was doing it like he always does with a POW as he hit it. But when he looked at his work and was all proud of himself my heart just did a little flippy thing and ever since then everything that Kageyama does just... it makes me feel all... gwahhhhhh. You know?” Shoyou was gesturing wildly with his hands and looking expectantly at Yamaguchi.

He looked startled for a moment before his eyes softened and he looked almost understanding. But also, a bit sad.

“I do know, yea. You have a crush on Kageyama?” Yamaguchi asked.

Shoyou choked on air. He knew, deep down, that that’s what this was but to hear it put so blatantly was jarring. He blinked rapidly and his face heated up with a blush he knew was obvious. Yea, he had a crush on Kageyama alright.

“It’s okay Hinata! Honestly, I’m shocked it took you until Monday to realize that. I thought you had been pining for him since first year,” Yamaguchi chuckled.

Well, this was news to Shoyou.

“What?!? What do you mean? No, no way! It’s never been like that I mean I never hated the guy but I’d never been thinking about... about how pretty his eyes were and how perfect he looks playing volleyball. And now his sets just feel beautiful. And—What the heck Yamaguchi why do I feel like this! Make it stop,” Shoyou complained, conking his forehead against Yamaguchi’s shoulder.

Yamaguchi sighed and patted Shoyou’s hair gently. He actually felt comforted. Why the heck hadn’t he gone to Yamaguchi about this in the first place? Outside of Kageyama he was the person that knew Shoyou best.

“I can’t make it stop Hinata. You’ll have to figure this one out yourself. I don’t know if feelings ever really go away,” Yamaguchi sighed again. And there was a little bit of sadness in his voice.

“Yamaguchi you keep seeming sad about something, what is it?” Shoyou asked, shifting his head so his chin rested on Yamaguchi’s arm and he was looking directly up at him.

Yamaguchi blushed and looked over at his photo wall. Shoyou would really call it the Tsukishima wall. And something on Yamaguchi’s face was familiar to him now, something...

Oh.

“Oh, you have a crush on Tsukishima, huh?” Shoyou said, pulling away.

Yamaguchi’s blush deepened and he looked at Shoyou with too much understanding again.

“Yup, but it’s been so long now I’ve kinda just given up hope. That’s not what you have to do with Kageyama though! Though, that boy is so emotionally constipated you might be in some trouble, even if he does like you. Which, honestly, I’m sure he does. He looks at you like you’re the sun Hinata,” Yamaguchi said.

Shoyou was doubtful of that. Every time he saw Kageyama looking at him it looked like he was reigning in the urge to hit him or something. With a select few exceptions, like winning against Shiratorizawa in their first year.

“Well, what about Tsukishima! I’ve only heard him give out like 5 compliments the entire time I’ve known him, and they’ve all been to you. Plus, I don’t think he’d even be playing volleyball if it wasn’t for you. He listens to you, and-”

Yamaguchi covers Shoyou’s mouth, “okay that’s enough, I get it! But Tsukki doesn’t feel like that for me. I don’t think he even likes boys, okay?”

Shoyou deadpans, “Yamaguchi, we play volleyball though.”

Yamaguchi paused and then started laughing. Shoyou wasn’t sure what was so funny, he was just stating the obvious. Tanaka may have been the only fully straight volleyball player he’d met. But maybe Shoyou was just projecting.

While Yamaguchi laughed, he thought about it. Maybe Terushima? Lev? No, Yaku. Yea, Shoyou was confused.

“You can’t just say stuff like that,” Yamaguchi said, still giggling.

Yamaguchi was really cute when he laughed, there’s no way Tsukishima didn’t like him back. Shoyou was certain Yamaguchi may not see it but Tsukishima either had feelings for him or could only zone out looking at Yamaguchi.

“Anyways, are you going to tell Kageyama?” Yamaguchi asked.

Shoyou hadn’t considered that. Kageyama wouldn’t let that get in the way of setting to him, he was useful, so he’d always get the ball. But then there was the fact that they were best friends. Probably not a good idea to tell him. Shoyou shook his head.

“That’s okay. But there’s still the issue of you getting distracted by him. How are you going to get out of your head?” Yamaguchi asked.

And wasn’t that the question? He couldn’t stop looking at Kageyama on the court, he was the setter and Shoyou’s ability to spike hinged on if Kageyama sent him the ball. Could he get his heart under control somehow? It wasn’t like he was asking it to go crazy. He groaned.

“I don’t know! I didn’t want this to happen. How do you do it with Tsukishima? You spend even more time with him than I do with Kageyama!” Shoyou said.

Yamaguchi grimaced a bit, “yea. It’s not easy. I think I just got used to it? But we don’t really have time for that with you, we’ve got to get this under control so practice can go back to normal.”

Then, Shoyou had an idea. A dumb idea, of course, but one that he fully believed would work. One that, not only would prove to Yamaguchi that Tsukishima liked him too but would also help him to focus on something other than Kageyama. And if Kageyama came to him with a confession, well that wouldn’t hurt either.

“I know! What if we pretended to date!” Shoyou half-yelled.

Yamaguchi’s mouth fell open. He didn’t look horrified, exactly, but it was a near thing.

“What are you TALKING about? How is that going to help you focus?” Yamaguchi exclaimed.

Shoyou smiled, “easy! Well, I can’t keep from thinking about Kageyama all the time but if I have something... someONE else to worry about then it will be easier for me! Plus, I’m not all that good at lying so I’ll have to use all my brainpower to keep it up. Also, then Tsukishima will see you dating me and be jealous and confess to you and TADA! You get a happily ever after. Also also, then I’d have more of an excuse to come see you and Chaki cuz I love it at your house.”

Yamaguchi looked less horrified and more confused now, “what even is that logic? Hinata, you really haven’t thought this through. Then we’d have to ACTUALLY pretend to date. Like hold hands and be... affectionate and stuff. And lie to like... EVERYBODY!”

Shoyou admitted, that wouldn’t be ideal to lie. But affection is not something he’s ever been shy about. Especially with Yamaguchi, who’s the only one in his year he can comfortably cling to without fear of losing an eye.

“I don’t mind affectionate stuff, I like hugging you Yamaguchi, you’re a great hugger! I don’t like to lie but it would really help me get back into my zone. I promise! And once I feel like I can handle it on my own, we can break up. Promise! Wouldn’t you like to see Tsukishima’s reaction too? I bet it would be funny,” Shoyou giggled.

Yamaguchi looked conflicted and that’s how Shoyou knew he had won. It only took him a couple minutes of deliberation while Shoyou looked purposefully around the room at all of Yamaguchi’s trinkets and books before he cleared his throat.

“Okay, let’s say we did this. We need boundaries. Like... I’ve never been kissed so none of that. Unless it’s like, absolutely necessary, then you can kiss me on the cheek. And... I don’t really mind hugging you either so you can keep doing that stuff. And holding hands is fine. But nothing cheeky!” Yamaguchi pointed a finger in Shoyou’s face.

“Of course not! Jeez Yamaguchi, I haven’t had my first kiss either of course I wouldn’t do crazy stuff like that. Wait, so you’re in?? Really?” Shoyou grabbed Yamaguchi’s arm and shook him a bit.

“Yea, I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m in. And uh, call me Tadashi. It would make more sense. Can I call you Shoyou?” Yamaguchi- Tadashi asked.

Shoyou nodded vigorously and was about to outwardly celebrate when the door suddenly opened.

“Hey Tadashi, we brought you guys some juice!” Tadashi’s mom, Yumiho, opened the door with a tray and some glasses.

Shoyou tightened his grip on Tadashi out of excitement and bounced his legs. Behind Yumiho came Tadashi’s other mom, Kogori.

“Miss Yumiho! Miss Kogori! Hi!” Shoyou smiled at them as they entered.

They hardly bat an eye at Shoyou wrapped around their son, very used to his antics by now, and set down the tray on Tadashi’s bedside table.

“Hi Shoyou! So glad you could come over, Chaki has asked about you a few times recently. We’re going to play a card game if you two want to join?” Yumiho asked.

Kogori nodded, a sweet simple smile plastered across her features as it often was. She was a woman of few words but always made Shoyou feel welcome. Yumiho, on the other hand, was full of conversation and Shoyou felt like he could talk to her about anything all the time. He had mostly seen the two at Tadashi’s matches when they could manage the time off or a babysitter for Chaki but now that she had grown a bit they were around frequently.

“Yes please!” Shoyou said.

Tadashi laughed, “we’ll finish these up and come down to join you. Thanks moms.”

The two left and Shoyou downed his glass in a huge gulp, ready to hang out with Tadashi’s family some more.

“Just kidding, date me for real Tadashi so we can get married, and your moms can be my moms in laws,” Shoyou said.

Tadashi blushed slightly and scratched the back of his neck as he finished the last of the juice in his glass. Shoyou had gotten up and was rocking back and forth on his feet as he waited.

“If it means that much to you,” Tadashi said, quieter than usual.

Shoyou nodded and the second Tadashi’s glass hit the desk Shoyou grabbed his hand, and they took off down the stairs to play cards.

Chapter Text

The next morning Shoyou felt nauseous about his decision to fake date Tadashi. He even considered texting him to call it off after an hour of tossing and turning in his bed. How did he think he could do this? He wasn’t an actor; it wouldn’t be hard for Tsukishima or Kageyama to tell their best friends were lying.

As if sensing Shoyou’s despair, Tadashi shot him a text. Simple, it just read ‘goodmorning Shoyou (:’. It spurred a conversation about Shoyou coming over again to play more “Swoosh” as Tadashi’s moms had called it. They played all afternoon, only pausing when Kogori decided to make them lunch.

Before dinner, Chaki had convinced Shoyou to play with her some more too to which Yumiho and Tadashi joined. He still lost every round, but it was more fun with more people. Now he really wanted to bring Natsu over, sure that she would love the Yamaguchi family.

It’s not that Shoyou didn’t like spending time with his parents, but they didn’t take much of an interest in him or what he’d been doing, and he had learned to spare the effort. It never made him sad; they spent a lot of time working so he could have a good life and all the volleyball equipment he needed,

By the time Shoyou made it out of the house, he wasn’t as nervous anymore thanks to Tadashi’s texts. His bike ride to school was still full of thoughts of Kageyama, but more so this time how he’d react when he found out about the fake relationship. It was still Sunday, so their morning practice didn’t have to be as early as it was on weekdays and it was “optional”, but nobody had skipped one yet.

After getting his bike situated, he started on his way to the club room. As he made his way around the school building, he spotted Kageyama. The two took one second to look at each other before taking off in a full sprint. Shoyou put everything into the push of his feet on the ground, feeling the air reach to the bottom of his lungs as he huffed through the effort.

Kageyama won. Again. Dammit, Shoyou hadn’t won a race this entire week. That was going to change after today, he was positive.

“You’re sucking recently,” Kageyama stated, huffing from exertion the same way Shoyou was.

Shoyou rolled his eyes, “whatever Bakayama, I’m just waiting for the right time to strike and ruin your whole day.”

Kageyama grumbled and started up the stairs to the club room, when Shoyou tried to catch up he shoved him back by the forehead. Shoyou reached for the stair rail but missed and his left foot slipped off the back of the step. Time seemed to slow. He let out a little yelp and Kageyama turned just a second too late, reaching out with one hand to grab Shoyou’s outstretched one.

Shoyou’s adrenaline pumped, and he looked for any way out of this fall, it couldn’t be too far down considering he was only like 7 stairs up but if he hit his head at the right angle he might be too hurt to practice today!

But it was too quick a moment for Shoyou to think through. He shut his eyes and braced for impact and impact did come, but much further up and much... taller than he was expecting.

“Jeez Shoyou, you trying to kill yourself already? I know it’s Sunday but that’s a bit dramatic,” Tadashi’s amused voice drifted in. His presence was a solid wall behind Shoyou, arms wrapped loosely around him to keep him steady and breath even. Warm.

Shoyou was so grateful for the save he couldn’t even process the show he was meant to put on for Kageyama. He was all instinct as he turned around in Tadashi’s grasp and smashed his cheek to the captain’s chest, arms winding around his waist.

“Tadashi!!! Thank you!!” Shoyou said, voice pitching up a few octaves to really punch through his appreciation.

Tadashi only chuckled and patted Shoyou on top of his head. Kageyama cleared his throat from a few steps away and that was enough to remind Shoyou of the situation. He spun around to face Kageyama but Tadashi didn’t let go, his arms looped around Shoyou in an easy show of affection. Shoyou was a step above him but he was still tall enough to put his chin on Shoyou’s head.

Kageyama looked like he was trying to figure out a difficult math problem. His eyebrows were pulled together, and one side of his mouth was turned down. That much concentration could not be good for the setter, so Shoyou just shrugged out of Tadashi’s arms and took his hand. They squeezed by Kageyama on the stairs whose attention was now trained on their connected hands.

“Shoyou, moms said you should come over again next weekend. They really enjoyed playing games with you! Oh, and I know you said you wanted to bring your little sister too which they think is a great idea,” Tadashi said, holding the door open for Shoyou and a trailing Kageyama.

Shoyou perked up. More time with the Yamaguchi’s was an easy decision. And that would mean he’d get to eat more of their delicious cooking instead of flailing around in the kitchen himself.

“Really?! That would be awesome, Natsu’s only ever reading books or bumping around a volleyball. She should try and play with someone her age,” Shoyou said.

“You could stand to be more like your sister, try reading a book,” Tsukishima piped up as he entered the club room.

Tadashi’s eyes lit up and his hand squeezed Shoyou’s hard as Tsukishima entered the room. Shoyou isn’t sure how he didn’t notice this before, when Tsukishima was in the room Tadashi’s center of gravity changed.

“Hey! It’s too early to be this rude,” Shoyou complained.

Tadashi seemed to snap out of his trance when Shoyou spoke, and his expression wavered. Nervous, like he was. To ground him a bit Shoyou tugged on their conjoined hands. Tadashi’s eyes snapped to his and Shoyou gave him his best look of determination. The one he always used when he was on the court. It seemed like whatever Tadashi saw was enough, backing up with a huge smile.

“Morning Tsukki!” Tadashi said, dropping Shoyou’s hand to open his locker.

Tsukishima grunted in response and went to his own locker to change out. Shoyou risked a glance at Kageyama who was sitting on a bench, shirt pulled over his head but still twisted in his arms.

“Is the King malfunctioning or something?” Tsukishima asked, following Shoyou’s gaze.

Kageyama stiffened and the back of his neck turned a little red as he finished pulling off his shirt and scowled at Tsukishima. And oh boy, that wasn’t good for Shoyou’s heart. He’d never thought he would consider Kageyama’s evil scowl pretty. But here he was, heart beating furiously and cheeks definitely coloring.

It wasn’t fair. Kageyama’s skin was flawless. During last summer’s training camp Shoyou learned that he didn’t mess around when it came to personal hygiene, especially when it came to his nails and fingers. It shows up in the way his skin kind of glows under even the harshest light. Even with all the frowning and scowling he does his skin remains wrinkle free.

Then there was the way his hair just always seemed to lay perfectly, framing his icy blue eyes. Not many people knew about it but when Kageyama moved his hair off his forehead, he had a little mole near his hairline. Everything Shoyou would have normally made fun of him for had become endearing.

And he was staring. But he wasn’t the one to catch it, Tadashi was. Kageyama had finished his starring contest with Tsukishima and turned to look at Shoyou with that hint of confusion still coloring his features. Shoyou was entranced, heartrate picking up at a dangerous rate but before he could make a fool of himself, he felt a finger on his chin.

Tadashi turned his head to look over at him instead, an easy smile on his face as he bent down to Shoyou’s level. His eyes were pretty too, this nice green that made him seem softer somehow. The door to the clubroom opened as two of the second years arrived.

“You alright Shoyou?” Tadashi asked, still on Shoyou’s level and only inches from his face as he eyed the new arrivals.

Shoyou could only nod, swallowing hard. It was overwhelming, these feelings he had never had for anybody before suddenly taking over his every thought. Tadashi was a helpful presence as he tried not to show his internal struggle.

He changed out and made his way to the court as fast as he could. The club room had erupted with idle chatter and the chaos that always was and always will be the Karasuno volleyball team. Something about the playstyle attracted the most chaotic characters to join the team and Shoyou was grateful for it.

“Hey Hinata! Can you help me stretch out?” the second-year setter, Oiichi, asked.

Shoyou readily agreed and soon the two were talking feverishly in the corner. They had their feet together, legs outstretched and Shoyou pulled Oiichi forward as far as he could. The boy was freakishly flexible, and he used it to his advantage on the court. He could bend and twist every which way to set the perfect ball, it was his weapon.

“Have you been alright Hinata? You’ve been kinda off the last week or so, did you not practice over the summer?” Oiichi asked.

The boy was always incredibly blunt.

“Of course I did! I practiced more than I didn’t this summer Oiichi, how dare you question your upper-classman,” Shoyou said.

Oiichi just shrugged and grabbed Shoyou’s elbows to pull him forwards, “is something wrong at home then? Or were you just never that good and I had built up this image of you in my head. I do that sometimes.”

Shoyou blushed and his lip jutted out in a little pout as he felt the stretch, “that’s mean! I’m really good! I’m just... distracted I guess.”

Oiichi stopped pulling and Shoyou leaned up to see his mouth hanging open in a little ‘o’. He blinked twice, as if unable to process what Shoyou just said. Was it really that weird for him to think about something other than volleyball??

“Oi, if you’re done there go grab another cart of balls from the secondary gym so we can practice serves,” Kageyama shouted across the gym.

Shoyou gave Oiichi a smile and helped him up. The kid was still a bit shocked, muttering to himself. Before he left the main gym though, Tadashi approached him.

“Hey Oiichi, you go find Hatsuumi and give him a toss or two to warm up, okay? He’s got a lot of energy,” Tadashi said, grimacing as he pointed out the first-year wing spiker. Hatsuumi looked as if he was going to explode, bouncing on his heels as Tsukishima ignored his ranting.

“Sure Captain!” Oiichi took off without a moment to spare and left Tadashi for Shoyou.

“I’ll come with you, what did you do to make Oiichi look like a lost puppy?” Tadashi held the door open for Shoyou and they made their way to the second gym.

“He asked what was wrong with me and I said I was distracted. Do you guys think I’m only able to think about volleyball? Be honest with me Tadashi!” Shoyou grabbed Tadashi’s sleeve and looked up at him expectantly.

Tadashi had the decency to pretend to think for a second, “yea I’m sorry.”

Shoyou groaned.

Right when they stepped through the main gym’s doors Shoyou felt like he was in danger. He crouched low and put his head on a swivel, feeling like prey. Tadashi didn’t notice, taking the ball cart to the side of the gym where Kageyama was showing the basics of a jump serve to some first years.

His heart raced, feet planted firmly on the ground and hands held out from his sides in case he needed to protect himself. He’d felt this intensity a few times before, like when he hit Kageyama with a serve in his first year.

His eyes met Tsukishima’s and the middle-blockers gaze was icy cold. It felt like he was seeing straight through Shoyou. He felt pinned to the spot until Tsukishima looked away, disinterested.

What was that?

“Hurry up Hinata, dumbass!” Kageyama yelled.

Shoyou jogged over to the serve line but not without checking over his shoulder, Tsukishima now distracted by Tadashi. Shoyou’s stomach dropped, and he tensed up. Like someone had challenged him.

In his distraction he ran face first into Kageyama’s chest. Kageyama didn’t even budge against his weight and instead just grabbed his hair, yelling at him to pay more attention. Shoyou didn’t really know what he was saying as he stared helplessly at Kageyama’s face.

Needless to say, morning practice felt really long.

**

After Shoyou had cleaned up and got ready to go home Kageyama approached him with a growling stomach. Far be it from Shoyou to say no to Kageyama, so he ended up waiting for Kageyama with his bike outside the club room.

“Heading home?” Tadashi asked, Tsukishima staring into the distance behind him.

Shoyou shook his head, “Kageyama wants to get meat buns, you wanna come?”

Tadashi glanced back at Tsukishima who still looked off to the side. He shrugged and Shoyou took that as a no.

“I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow though!” Tadashi reached down to ruffle Shoyou’s hair.

It was so much different than the rough way Kageyama handled him. Tadashi’s hand massaged his scalp lightly as he dragged his fingers through his ginger locks. He unconsciously scooted closer to the boy and was practically purring at the feeling.

“Aw man Tadashi, you’ve got to do that more,” Shoyou sighed when Tadashi drew his hand away.

Tsukishima seemed to flinch, but Shoyou didn’t see a reason to point it out. When Kageyama appeared with his bag, Shoyou gave Tadashi a long and tight hug. He turned his face up against Tadashi’s chest and Tadashi looked down back at him.

“See you tomorrow,” Shoyou mumbled.

Tadashi nodded; eyes crinkled with the smile he sported. Shoyou untangled himself from the taller boy and jogged to catch up to Kageyama, who had not stopped to wait for Shoyou as he passed by.

The walk to get food was dead silent as Shoyou struggled to find something to say. He thought about commenting on how good Kageyamas sets were during practice but that would give him a big head. Then he thought about complimenting his eyes but immediately shot that idea down. Now he couldn’t stop thinking about Kageyama’s eyes. Again.

“So, when did you and Yamaguchi get so... close?” Kageyama said, finally breaking the silence.

Shoyou started to sweat, now is when the lies had to really begin.

“Well, we’ve always been close! He’s my closest friend besides you! And Yachi. But we definitely got closer after we started dating,” Shoyou announced, sounding far more confident than he felt. There it was, it was out there now.

Kageyama stutter stepped and coughed hard. He paused walking even though the meat buns were now in view.

“What?” Shoyou asked innocently.

Had he misread Kageyama completely? For a few silent seconds, Shoyou silently panicked that Kageyama might be homophobic. And wouldn’t that just kill him?

But then Kageyama cleared his throat and said, “good for you then, don’t let it distract you from volleyball. Is that why you’ve been so weird all week?”

Shoyou cringed at the irony of that question. He wanted to shout in Kageyama’s face, it wasn’t Tadashi, it was him. Him and his stupid face and stupid hands, eyes, sets, his everything!

“You’re spacing out again,” Kageyama mumbled.

Ah, Shoyou was, wasn’t he. He couldn’t help it, now that he started thinking he couldn’t stop. He couldn’t stop noticing little things. Which is why he could tell that Kageyama was uncomfortable. He shifted his weight from foot to foot.

What was Shoyou expecting? For Kageyama to get jealous instantly, to tell him to stop dating Tadashi and go date him? That was stupid but Shoyou couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Kageyama definitely didn’t want him like that. So, he just laughed, a practiced sound, and bounced over to the meat bun shop.

And he didn’t see the way Kageyama had to rub his watery eyes and tighten his grip on his bag before he followed him.

Chapter Text

“Monday morning we will have our first exam.”

“Please use your weekend to study as our Monday class will be dedicated to an exam.”

“Don’t forget about our first test on Tuesday!”

Shoyou was screwed. Class after class he was made aware of another test happening next week and he wasn’t confident enough to be taking a test in any of them.

“Uhg, Tadashi! I’m going to flunk out and then I’ll get kicked off the volleyball team and my life will be ruined because Kageyama would hate me and I’d have to become like… a delinquent or something,” Shoyou whined, face buried against Tadashi’s arm.

“It’ll be alright Sho, you can come study with us, right?” Tadashi replied.

Shoyou frowned against his arm and side-eyed Tsukishima who had insisted on eating lunch with them. He had spent the entire period with an aura Shoyou could only describe as gloomy. He hadn’t brought food and had hardly spoken so it was anybody’s guess why he had insisted on showing up.

“No,” Tsukishima said, face unflinching.

Tadashi rolled his eyes and ruffled Shoyou’s hair, “you can, Tsuki will get over himself.”

Shoyou sighed, he wasn’t sure about that. It was a wonder how Tsukishima could invite himself to a function and then act like he’d rather be anywhere else the entire time.

“Tsukishima, why are you so angry today?” Shoyou asked. He sat up from leaning on Tadashi’s arm to look at Tsukishima dead on. Whatever expression was on Shoyou’s face, it made Tsukishima squirm a bit.

“I’m not angry, dumbass, this is what I always act like,” Tsukishima bit back.

Shoyou shook his head, “no I’ve played with you for long enough to know when you’re Angryshima, why?”

Tsukishima blinked at Shoyou, slowly as if he didn’t understand him. Then he turned his head away aggressively and shut his eyes with a sigh.

“Nothing Hinata, mind your own business and I’ll tutor you,” Tsukishima grumbled, shooting a glance at Tadashi.

Shoyou just nodded at him, pleased that he got what he needed out of the conversation but there was a gnawing in his chest that told him this wasn’t over. He felt a bit on edge around Tsukishima after his death glare at practice earlier that week. He had been giving little passing comments about Shoyou’s form when spiking, how weak his blocks were, and how annoying it was when he was loud. It was genuinely starting to hurt his feelings.

“I was going to meet with Tsuki tomorrow at noon, let’s invite Kageyama!” Tadashi said, pulling Shoyou to his side and resting his arm across his shoulders.

They found that this was a comfortable position for affection between the two and that honestly, both boys were so touch starved it helped them out anyways. Shoyou had gotten used to the constant touches and sweet comments, they integrated themselves seamlessly into their already close friendship.

The rest of lunch Shoyou spent trying to ignore the looks Tsukishima was shooting at him by staring at his fake boyfriend as he spoke about anything and everything.

******
Shoyou did indeed send Kageyama a text about studying and he got a confirmation back not a minute later. So, the next day he suited up with a backpack full of textbooks and a change of clothes just in case he’d get to play some volleyball between subjects.

Tsukishima was in advanced subjects, basically he had taken the classes Shoyou was taking now, last year. He was certainly the only one on the team able to help him with his classes but he was less than thrilled by the idea.

He biked his way to Tsukishima’s with some headphones on, playing through a mix of songs that his father had brought back from a work trip from Portugal. He didn’t understand a word, but he enjoyed the energy that the music brought so he tried to listen to it when he needed some confidence.

He wished he had more confidence as he stood with his fist up, preparing to knock on Tsukishima’s door. With a deep breath, he wrapped his knuckles on the wood softly.

None other than Kei Tsukishima himself opened the door, frown deepening at the sight of Shoyou on his doorstep. He directed Shoyou to the backyard and let him set his bike there to keep it safe. Shoyou expected to see Tadashi already set up at the table but there was nobody there.

“Am I…” Shoyou started.

“The first one here, yea,” Tsukishima grunted.

Shoyou shuffled awkwardly on his feet, eyes fixated on the table trying to discern if Tsukishima wanted him to sit down or wait… or something. He didn’t know, he had been to Tsukishima’s house to study a lot but never by himself. The atmosphere felt so cold.

“Sit down,” Tsukishima sighed, “you’re so awkward.”

Shoyou scrambled to lay out his notebooks and textbooks on the table, suddenly very self-conscious. Tsukishima had been insulting him for years, but Shoyou thought they had moved on from petty stuff like this. That, maybe, they were even beginning to be friendly. But now it seemed like Tsukishima was picking on him to be mean and it didn’t sit right.

He opened his notebook and squinted down at his notes, he didn’t have great handwriting but he could read it. He went through the general topics he’d have to study and began to write them down on a smaller notepad so he’d be able to check them off as he went. The overhead light was suddenly blocked as Tsukishima leaned over his shoulder.

“Your writing is awful, how can you even read that?” Tsukishima said, turning the page of Shoyou’s notebook without asking.

Shoyou sank back out of his way. Tsukishima had never been this mean, he was certain. He had also never cared this much but the betrayal of emotion, someone he thought he was on better terms with, treating him like this was a lot. When the shock faded he felt anger surge.

“Nobody asked you Tsukishima, why don’t you just-” Shoyou was cut off by a knock on the door.

Tsukishima glared at him before going to get it. From the exchange at the front he could tell it was Tadashi but he didn’t get up to greet him. He felt heavy and stiff. His chest was tight and his fingers tingled, it was overwhelming. And he had no explanation for it.

“Shoyou! Hi!” Tadashi cheered as he walked into the room.

Shoyou fought to lift his head and give Tadashi a smile, part of him felt lighter just having him in the room. Tadashi’s concerned look told him he wasn’t hiding this well. Whatever this was.

“I’ll bring the snacks that my mom left, do you want tea or water?” Tsukishima asked, mostly to Tadashi.

Shoyou shook his head, having brought a bottle with him and Tadashi asked for some tea. When Tsukishima left the room Tadashi took the seat next to Shoyou and pulled Shoyou’s chair closer to his.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” Tadashi asked.

Shoyou blinked, “I feel all heavy and stuff. But not sick or anything, I can still study with you guys.”

Tadashi frowned, “Heavy? How so?”

“I dunno, my limbs are all weak and lazy and my chest is super tight. But it got better when you showed up, I’m fine.”

“It doesn’t sound fine, did something happen or have you been feeling like this all day?”

“Well, Tsukishima was… oh that’s the door, probably Kageyama. I’ll get it,” Shoyou scurried away from the conversation with a newfound strength.

He didn’t want to tell Tadashi how Tsukishima was treating him even though he knew he should. But that would get in the way of their plan to push those two together and that couldn’t work. Wait, but what if this was a sign of how Tsukishima would treat Tadashi in a relationship? Now that just wouldn’t stand, he’d have to, like, fight Tsukishima or something.

Shoyou spaced out for long enough that Kageyama had to knock again before he was pulled back to the real world. He opened the door and Kageyama’s pinched eyebrows immediately made him feel a bit better.

“Hey Yama!” Shoyou beamed.

Kageyama just shoved by him. Shoyou followed him closely, taking in Kageyama in casual clothes. It was a rare sight. Kageyama wore a gray T-shirt that fit his arms too perfectly. He had casual black pants on and a light silver chain around his neck. It was simple but Shoyou was still elated. It was the first time since realizing his feelings that he’d seen Kageyama informally.
Kageyama sat down at the table across from Tadashi on Shoyou’s left and went to work unpacking his study materials.

Tsukishima was finding places around their books to set down the plate of snacks he had brought out for them. Some orange slices caught Shoyou’s eye and he licked his lips, plopping into his seat and trying to refocus on the reason he came here in the first place.

“Alright, what are we starting with?” Tsukishima asked, then he looked directly at Shoyou, “maybe we should let the ones who need the most help decide.”

Shoyou felt his stomach knot up again. It was this sick feeling, like he was free falling, and he wanted it gone. Kageyama, not paying close enough attention to realize the comment was directed at Shoyou, made a noise of protest.

“Well, I’m certainly struggling with English, anybody else?” Tadashi lifted a hand to rub at his neck in embarrassment. Tsukishima eyed him for a second and then nodded, moving his other books to the floor.

Shoyou had kept pretty on top of his English class since it was the first one of the day and therefore what he paid the most attention to before his thoughts drifted to food or volleyball. Or more recently, Kageyama. Speaking of Kageyama, he was gnawing on the eraser of his pencil gently and staring down at the laundry list of terms in his notebook with frustration.

Shoyou, being brave, scooted his chair closer to Kageyama and leaned into his space to see what he was having trouble with. Kageyama stiffened, but didn’t move away.

“I don’t need help,” Kageyama pouted.

“Sure you don’t, well then what do you not need help with?” Shoyou smirked.

Kageyama hesitated, then raised a finger to hover over a sentence that was confusing him. Shoyou could help with that! So, he did. He went over the parts of the sentence and then the one word Kageyama was having trouble sounding out. And Kageyama actually seemed like he was getting it.

“If you let him teach you, you’ll learn it wrong,” Tsukishima said, looking down through his glasses at the pair.

Looking down, he was always looking down on Shoyou. It was bad their first year, him constantly making fun of Shoyou’s dedication to the sport and his lack of technical skills (okay maybe that part was warranted). But now it felt like he just thought himself better than Shoyou. And it was making Shoyou feel… really small. It surprised him that he wasn’t fired up about it, ready to rebuttal like he usually was.

“No, I think he actually got it,” Kageyama said, looking unsure as he said it but saying it nonetheless.

And it actually made Shoyou feel a bit better. He looked over at Tsukishima and nodded with determination. It only made Tsukishima roll his eyes and look away. Shoyou couldn’t have predicted that fake dating Tadashi would cause this sort of reaction from Tsukishima. What if they were really dating, he’d be acting like this toward his best friend’s boyfriend?

Shoyou pushed through the rest of English with little difficulty, but then Kageyama asked to do his least favorite subject, math. The math he was in wasn’t considered particularly hard but it troubled him anyways. Left him feeling a bit stupid and with disappointment he always had to work off on the court.

“Uh, wait, slow down for a second,” Shoyou said when Tsukishima moved on from a step in the problem they were working on. It was only the second time he’d seen an equation like this and he really didn’t like the look of it.

Tsukishima made a show out of sighing and resting his chin in his hand, “sorry shrimp, I forgot we have to slow things down for you.”

Shoyou gulped. His body felt like it was vibrating, like he was stuck in a small space with no room to move. It didn’t help that Kageyama and Tadashi both looked up at Tsukishima in surprise and then at Shoyou to gauge his reaction. He felt his throat close up and knew he was panicking, this hadn’t happened in a while. Shoyou looked down, hand grabbing his shirt over his pulsating heart.

“Oh what now, I-” Tsukishima started.

“Tsuki, shut up. Just shut up, you’re being unnecessarily mean. I thought maybe you were joking at first but this has been constant, all week long. You’re hurting his feelings! Don’t be a dick,” Tadashi said.

It was his captain's voice, it reminded Shoyou distantly of Daichi and his scary aura. Or maybe it was closer to Sugawara. Either way Tsukishima looked like he was listening now.

“I wasn’t… look, it was just good fun. I make fun of Hinata all the time. Kageyama too for that matter and-” Tsukishima couldn’t finish again.

“No, you know what you’re doing. Sorry Kageyama, but we’re leaving,” Tadashi stood from the table and started shoving his books into his bag.

We? As in, Tsukishima and Tadashi? No, that wouldn’t make sense since this was Tsukishima’s house. But he apologized to Kageyama first, so him? Tadashi was taking him home?

“Oh we don’t have to leave, it’s okay,” Shoyou tried.

Tadashi knelt next to Shoyou’s chair and took his hands between Tadashi’s own. They were much larger. And warmer.

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have assumed, I’d like to leave and I’d like you to come with me. Will you?” Tadashi asked. His eyes gleamed in the light and were unwavering in their intensity.

Shoyou looked between Tadashi, Tsukishima, and Kageyama. Kageyama was looking away from the scene and was tucking his own textbooks into his bag. Tsukishima, on the other hand, was staring intensely at Tadashi. He couldn’t have more of a frown if he tried and it looked like he was trying really hard to hold back whatever he wanted to say.

“Yea, I’ll go with you,” Shoyou said, carefully as if trying not to disturb a wild animal.

Tadashi didn’t have to be told twice. He dumped the rest of his stuff in his bag and waited for Shoyou to do the same. Tsukishima had leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms across his chest.

“Tell your mother we say thank you for the snacks. Good luck on your tests Kageyama,” Tadashi said, then he took Shoyou’s hand and guided him to leave the house.

He stumbled into his shoes, through the door, and down the steps. Once they had gotten half a kilometer away from the house, Tadashi slowed down and glanced back at Shoyou to check on him. He was not as lost in thought but was still fighting to ground himself completely.

“I’m sorry if I was a bit aggressive back there but I don’t know why Tsuki thought it was okay to treat you like that. Usually I find his jokes harmless but I know him enough to realize when it becomes an actual insult,” Tadashi said.

Shoyou didn’t want to talk about this, “can I spend the night at your house?”

Shoyou didn’t know why he’d said that. He wasn’t sure how Tadashi felt about having friends over, less-so about his moms. But he wasn’t feeling great and didn’t want to risk the bike ride over the mountain like this.

“Oh! Yea, of course you can,” Tadashi blinked at him, surprised.

They spent the rest of the walk to Tadashi’s in comfortable silence. Shoyou’s head was still spinning, processing what had been his last few hours. How had it escalated that quickly? Did Tsukishima think that Shoyou wasn’t enough for Tadashi? Maybe that was true, Tadashi had been the one to stick up for him back there, he couldn’t do it.

And that was what confused Shoyou the most, normally when someone undermined him (which had happened a lot in his highschool career) he’d just snap back. Show them who he really was and what he could do on the court. But just now with Tsukishima he felt frozen and stuck. His limbs felt tethered to the table and his thoughts moved through his head like it was full of molasses. He didn’t like that at all.

As they approached Tadashi’s front door Shoyou knew he couldn’t do this anymore if it would cause problems like this. What about the team? It was obviously messing with Tsukishima and if it would continue to make him react that way too it wouldn’t work.

“I think we should-” Shoyou started but Tadashi whipped around to face him.

“I was thinking we could watch the Brazil America volleyball match?” Tadashi spat out, syllables kind of jumbled together because of how fast he was speaking.

A crow flew from a tree by the sidewalk onto the roof above them with a loud squawk. Shoyou’s hair ruffled in the passing wind and he found himself staring in Tadashi’s eyes. Tadashi tensed at the eye contact and seemed to hold his breath. Shoyou took a moment just to study his reaction with curiosity. The only thing that was clear was that Tadashi wanted him to stay.

“Okay, sure,” Shoyou smiled.

Tadashi released the held breath and his shoulders sagged a bit. He turned to unlock the door and as he did it swung open wide from the inside.

“Oh Tadashi you have to watch this video, these cats- Oh, hello Shoyou!” Yumiho said, wiping tears of laughter.

Tadashi scratched the back of his neck, “Hey mom, I’m sorry I didn’t call to ask before but is it okay if Shoyou stays the night tonight?”

Shoyou looked between Tadashi and Yumiho and bowed deeply, “Please let me stay over.”

Yumiho chuckled, “of course, kid! Does your little sister need a place tonight too?”

Shoyou shook his head and stood back up, “she’s staying at a friend’s tonight ma’am.”

Yumiho hummed with a sly smile on her face and moved out of the way of the door. Tadashi grabbed Shoyou’s wrist and guided him inside, only saying brief hello’s to Kogori and Chika as he barreled upstairs to get to his room.

Once he had thrown the door open and Shoyou was successfully in his space it looked like he was breathing a bit easier. But Shoyou was too focused on his own turmoil, didn’t Tadashi think this was a terrible idea now? They had a fight! Tsukishima and Tadashi had a fight and that hadn’t happened once in the previous two years and now Shoyou was responsible for it. He started to get a headache behind his eyes.

“I can see you thinking Sho,” Tadashi pointed out.

Shoyou pouted and let his shoulder’s hang, he was emotionally exhausted from dealing with romantic feelings and aggressive middle blocker teammates. Tadashi sat on his bed and patted the spot next to him. Shoyou greedily took it.

“It’s just, don’t you think this has already gone too far?” Shoyou asked, slouching to throw his head in his hands.

Tadashi looped an arm around his shoulders, “well I’m not sure, I haven’t been able to fully process what just happened. I never imagined Tsuki would be so… outright mean to someone I at least consider a friend.”

Shoyou groaned. “Not sure” was not the concrete, all-around answer he was hoping Tadashi would have for this. He leaned into Tadashi’s side. It was warm, the boy was always warm to the touch as if Shoyou had been running cold his whole life and didn’t know he needed the heat. As they sat there he wrapped himself around Tadashi more and more, first an arm around his shoulders, then another looping around his front and now he even had a leg kicked across Tadashi’s. At some point Tadashi had also wrapped his other arm around Shoyou.

“Hey do you want to lay down maybe? It’s just, this would probably be more comfortable if… but we don’t have to. I feel like that maybe makes it awkward and I’m comfortable enough now so…” Tadashi rambled.

Shoyou pulled away from Tadashi and flopped back on the bed with his eyes closed. His headache hadn’t gone away and the overhead lights were bothering him. There were a few seconds of silence, then some shuffling and Tadashi laid down next to him, stiff as a board and shoulder barely brushing Shoyou’s.

Shoyou opened an eye and scooted closer, wrapping his arms around Tadashi’s frozen one which was pressed against his side. Still warm and still soft. This was gentler than he could ever remember being treated by anybody, Kageyama was only good with aggression.

And his parents were never really touchy people, Natsu could be at times but his family was sort of adverse to physical touch. That’s why Shoyou found himself always all over his teammates, jumping on their backs and always initiating high fives. Though, that was less frequent now that all his upperclassmen had graduated.

So, this was nice. And he was going to relish every moment. Tadashi loosened up after a moment so Shoyou nudged his head under Tadashi’s arm and let it wrap around his shoulders.

“Sleepy,” Shoyou muttered.

Tadashi laughed softly, “But it’s the afternoon!”

“Then it’s nap time, just a short one, okay?” Shoyou mumbled.

His words were getting quieter as he got warmer and cozier in Tadashi’s arms. Tadashi made a short sound, like a laugh but not quite, and turned on his side. He gathered Shoyou more firmly in his arms, orange curls coming to rest under his chin.

“Okay Sho, but then we have to keep studying,” Tadashi said.

But Shoyou was already drifting off, feeling safer than he had in a long time.

*****
Shoyou’s tests came and went, he did fine… probably. What he was more concerned about was Tsukishima ignoring his existence all week. And for that matter, Tadashi’s. Tadashi still stared at Tsukishima more than the ball at practice but now he had a look on his face like he was in pain.

He always lit up when around Shoyou though, trying to hide it. By the time Friday rolled around again Tsukishima hadn’t spoken to him once. They played together fine, practice moved along as normal. Which would have been enough for Shoyou normally, but now he felt responsible for Tadashi’s unhappiness and felt that he needed to do something.

What? He had no idea. Tsukishima had not joined them at lunch the rest of the week (shocker) but Kageyama had twice. Friday was one of those days.

“So, are you and Tsukishima not friends anymore now?” Kageyama asked abruptly.

Unlike Tsukishima, Kageyama brought something to talk about and food to lunch. Even if he was blunt like this, it was better than icy silence.

“No, we are. But we need to get some things sorted out first because the way he was treating Shoyou was unacceptable,” Tadashi said, a deep frown on his face that put a wrinkle in his brow.

Shoyou pressed a finger to the worry line and tried to smooth it out. Tadashi looked startled at the gesture for a second but moved on quickly. Kageyama, however, followed the movement intensely.

“Is he angry that you guys are dating or something?” Kageyama asked, “I didn’t think Tsukishima was homophobic. I actually thought he was gay.”

Tadashi and Shoyou both stared at him. It was the first time that someone had acknowledged the fake relationship out loud. Shoyou’s stomach twisted again at the thought of lying to Kageyama.

“He’s not homophobic he’s just…” Tadashi searched for the word.

“A jerk,” Shoyou finished for him, “because you don’t have a problem with it, right Kageyama?”

Shoyou was fishing, he knew he was. But he wanted to see if Kageyama actually cared at all that he was in a relationship. To know if he ever stood a chance with this boy.

“Of course not! I’m tolerant,” Kageyama declared with too much seriousness.

Tadashi giggled and Shoyou stared at Kageyama with a goofy grin on his face. Of course he would take it so literally, Shoyou himself probably would’ve too. One of the many ways in which they were alike, head was too full of volleyball to think about other things. Except, maybe that wasn’t true anymore.

Shoyou had been thinking about the Tsukishima situation all week which was much longer than he usually allotted for non-volleyball things. He also thought about Tadashi and his family a lot, excited to see them next. Sometimes he’d run through a new Smash Bros combo he learned in his head so he’d be prepared.

Then there was Kageyama island, a whole spot in his brain for the setter. Though that was becoming familiar to him now.

“That’s good then. Do you like anybody, Kageyama?” Tadashi asked, subtly bumping Shoyou’s shoulder.

Shoyou tensed as Kageyama went bright red at the question and averted his eyes.

“I don’t have time for that sort of thing,” he said.

And yea, neither did Shoyou but he didn’t have a choice here. Part of him believed Kageyama because it would be just like him to suppress romantic feelings for the sake of volleyball. But another part of him wasn’t convinced, the blushy face and nervous attitude was only a Kageyama he saw when he was embarrassed or unsure (so very rarely).

Tadashi moved the conversation on from there but Shoyou was stuck replaying Kageyama’s reaction. Even if he did have a crush it was not likely to be Shoyou. When the thoughts began to drown him he looked up at Tadashi and watched him talk, as he had become used to doing now.

Ah shit, what was he going to do about Tsukishima?

Chapter Text

Shoyou still didn’t know what to do about Tsukishima. He was scratching his head all day for a solution but nothing was jumping out at him. Tsukishima wasn’t approachable to begin with so Shoyou found himself thinking in circles.

As he sat on the changing room bench and fiddled with his practice shorts, he tried to recall everything he knew about Tsukishima. Which… wasn’t much. He knew Tsukishima preferred sweet treats to savory and that he had an older brother. Tadashi had mentioned his surprising preference for literature over math once. But none of that would help him!

Think Shoyou! How does he prefer to interact with people? Ah, he doesn’t. Except for Tadashi. That’s it! What would Tadashi do in this situation? He couldn’t ask him though, Tadashi hadn’t wanted to talk about Tsukishima all week.

And this was the loop he’d been stuck in.

Tadashi was careful, he observed everybody and made sure to respond accordingly. Shoyou wasn’t good at that, reading what people needed. But he was good at it on the court, so maybe he could transfer that instinct elsewhere. This feeling was a bit familiar, being stuck and feeling worthless. Like when he played Kenma at nationals.

“Sho? You’ve been sitting there for a while, everybody’s already left, don’t you want to get to the gym?” Tadashi put a hand on his shoulder.

Shoyou squeaked in surprise as it broke him from his thoughts. A good thing probably, he was spiraling.

“Uh yea! Let’s go,” Shoyou stood up, embarrassed.

Tadashi scrutinized him for a second and sighed. Shoyou knew that sigh.

”What’s wrong? Is Tsuki bothering you again?” Tadashi asked.

Shoyou shook his head vigorously, “No! Sorry, I just spaced out. C’mon!”

Tadashi frowned as Shoyou tried to shove past him. He grabbed Shoyou by the wrist to stop him and put a hand on his cheek, thumb swiping across his subtle eye bags. His warm skin on Shoyou was a welcome grounding action.

“Okay, but don’t carry the emotions around if they’ll just keep hurting you. Let them out on the court, or you can share them with me. Whatever you need Sho, okay?” Tadashi said.

And wow, wasn’t that exactly what he needed to hear. He took a deep breath and leaned against Tadashi’s hand. Their gazes were locked, an expression so meaningful and sweet on Tadashi’s face. Something about the room changed.

“How do you do that,” Shoyou whispered for some reason, “you’re so good at talking to people.”

Tadashi smiled and his cheeks grew pink. He shrugged and moved his other hand to pet through Shoyou’s hair. The room grew quiet and Shoyou closed his eyes. He felt… held?

“Hurry up dumbass! How are we supposed to, oh sorry,” Kageyama had stomped his way back to the changing room and was now staring at the ground sheepishly.

Tadashi withdrew his hands and turned toward Kageyama, giving him an apology too. Shoyou’s hand moved up to where Tadashi’s had been, to savor the warmth. Then, Tadashi took his hand and pulled him to practice. He was able to steal a glance at Kageyama as he went by and saw that pinched eyebrow look he sported more often than not nowadays. Shoyou cursed the fact that it was still cute.

It looked like most of the team had begun stretching around the room so Shoyou put his shoes on and got to it. He picked part of the wall close to where Tsukishima was stretching in the corner. He didn’t say anything, but he watched him.

Tsukishima wasn’t excessive with his stretching, it seemed like he had a process and each stretch was the same amount of time. Shoyou copied his process, then during warm ups he copied him again, and again when they were doing spiking drills.

It was kind of hard, playing in a style that wasn’t his own. But he was trying to get into Tsukishima’s mindset, so by the time they were on opposite sides of the net for the scrimmage he had a decent grasp on Tsukishima’s playing style.

“Alright, get it started,” Ukai yelled from the bench.

The scrimmage began, a flurry of jumps and dives. Neither team went easy on the other, no matter how many times they’d done this. Shoyou, however, was much more aware of Tsukishima’s movements. He saw the difference in the way his body tensed before a decoy jump and a real one.

And he’d been blocking, or at least touching, his spikes all night. Not at the detriment of blocking others, but it was becoming noticeable.

“Damn Hinata! You’re going hard at Tsukishima tonight,” Seki, one of the second years, said.

Shoyou panicked. That was definitely not going to fix things. That was going to make them WORSE!

”Yea, what’s with that shorty?” Tsukishima asked, finally breaking the ever-stretching silence that had iced through Shoyou’s veins all week.

He should’ve been upset at the old nickname or the sarcastic tone. Probably should have focused more on responding as well, to clear the situation up. But instead, all of the tension that had collected in him from Tsukishima’s silent treatment dispersed.

Shoyou turned to Tsukishima and smiled as brightly as he could. He breathed out the anxiety that he carried with him all week.

The court was silent for a moment, Tsukishima’s face even devoid of the scowl it was so set into. Everybody stared at Shoyou and his insane response to an insult.

“Nothing,” he laughed out, turning to look at Kageyama, who was up to serve, “give us a good one!”

Kageyama’s face was, for once, easy to read. He was surprised. By what Shoyou didn’t know but he shook it off quickly and set up to serve anyway.

“Weirdo,” Tsukishima muttered, but that hostility that had backed his earlier comments was gone.

Shoyou considered that a win.

****

“Meat buns!” Shoyou exclaimed.

The team had brought up the idea of going to get food together before heading home. Shoyou heard that food was involved and agreed.

”Are you coming, Kageyama? I bet I can eat more meat buns than you,” Shoyou teased, poking Kageyama in his side.

Kageyama grunted in response and kept walking in the direction of his teammates. Shoyou didn’t even break stride as he turned around to walk backwards in front of Kageyama who was looking anywhere but him.

”What? Do I have something on my face?” Shoyou asked, raising an arm up to swipe at his forehead.

”Where’s Yamaguchi?” Kageyama asked.

Shoyou shrugged, “I dunno, probably somewhere up front talking to the first years, why do you need him?”

Shoyou turned back around to fall into step beside Kageyama. He swung his hands in long arches, if he moved a few inches closer he’d be brushing Kageyama’s hand.

“No, I just… usually you two are together,” Kageyama said, almost grumpily.

Shoyou faltered in his step. Wait, wait, wait. Was Kageyama… jealous? Had this stupid and insane plan that should have had no chance of working, actually doing what was intended? Only one way to find out.

”What, are you jealous?” Shoyou teased. It was a familiar tease, not outside of their normal arsenal. But there was gravity behind the question this time.

”Of course not! But, well, it does make it less convenient for us to practice when you’re spending more time talking to Yamaguchi than coming in early. So I guess you’ll just fall further behind. Sucks for you,” Kageyama said. It was rushed and he slurred together a few words, like he was nervous.

Shoyou cocked his head to the side and frowned. As he thought about it, he noticed the weird glances and avoidance coming from Kageyama all week. He’d been so preoccupied with Tsukishima that it didn’t strike him as weird but… it was definitely weird.

“Hey! I’m not falling behind! You’re totally defecting Kageyama, what’s up with you?” Shoyou was pressing, he needed to have a real answer here.

Kageyama’s face screwed up and he looked away pointedly, out at the houses passing by. The lights spilled over his features and Shoyou had to squint to keep looking. There was a tenseness to Kageyama’s shoulders and his hands were clenched tight.

“I don’t know I just-”

“Shoyou! Mama just texted and asked if you’d come over? Natsu can come too of course, if you want, but Chika had a bad day at school and is asking to play games,” Tadashi jogged up waving his phone in front of him.

Shoyou’s eyes stayed trained on Kageyama and his face which was flashing so many different emotions it seemed overwhelming. Disappointment settled into his gut but he flashed Tadashi a smile and stopped in front of him.

“Actually, Natsu was going to spend the night at our grandparents tonight anyways so that would be great! I don’t have extra clothes though…” Shoyou stared down at his bag which was certainly devoid of staying over materials.

“Oh don’t worry I have the toothbrush you used from last time and you can borrow some of my clothes,” Tadashi replied, brushing a strand of hair out of Shoyou’s face.

Kageyama had stopped walking beside Shoyou and seemed to be studying the interaction. Suddenly, Shoyou felt really anxious about the entire situation. He gave Tadashi a quick little nod and smiled at Kageyama, bounding off to catch up to the rest of the team who had just arrived at the shop.

As the unease stirred in his gut Shoyou made note of the many different things that was giving him grief and wondered how this all started because of a pretty boy with blue eyes and nice sets.

*******
“No this time you HAVE to play with one hand, it’s not even fair,” Shoyou complained, curled up on the corner of the Yamaguchi couch as Chika’s victory screen flashed once again in his face.

Chika only giggled and clicked ‘play again’. Chika was on the opposite end of the couch, curled into the side of Yumiho who was stroking through her hair absently. Tadashi sat in the middle, tapping away on his phone after having put down his controller a few rounds ago.

In the last round each time Shoyou glanced at him he noticed the growing frown on his face. They’d have to talk about that.

“Last one, I’m sleepy,” Shoyou yawned exaggeratedly and made a show of sinking down into the couch.

Chika giggled, shrieking out how he couldn’t just pretend he was losing because he was tired and that she’d beat him tomorrow when he was well rested too.

After another humbling defeat, Shoyou set his controller carefully on the coffee table and scooted closer to Tadashi. He poked the wrinkle between his eyes, trying to smooth it out.

“Huh?” Tadashi asked, turning his head toward Shoyou before his eyes had peeled away from the screen.

“C’mon let’s go to bed,” Shoyou said, smiling as brightly as he could manage. Which, in his lazy state probably was more like a light bulb than the sun but it seemed to rouse Tadashi from his haze.

“Oh, yea, sorry,” Tadashi rubbed at his eyes which had begun to color red from the strain of staring at his phone all night.

Chika and the Yamaguchi moms said their goodnights as the pair made their way upstairs. Tadashi stumbled a few times, still holding his phone out to read through as they got to the bathroom.

Shoyou chose not to say anything as they got ready for bed, letting Tadashi take the time he needed to figure out whatever was bothering him. But once they had both settled down to sleep, Shoyou draped in an oversize T-shirt and sitting on the futon, he decided to break the silence.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Tadashi’s attention shot to him, as if he hadn’t even realized Shoyou was there. His eyes were glassy and the tight grip Tadashi kept his fist in told Shoyou he was holding back tears. Maybe he was a bit more perceptive than he thought.

“Shit, I’m sorry Sho I’ve been ignoring you. Don’t worry about me,” Tadashi said, tossing his phone to the side and sliding his face across his shoulder to wipe the wetness away.

“But I am worried, what’s wrong?” Shoyou asked again.

Tadashi bit his lip and looked away, eyes finding his phone on the bed. As they did, his breath caught and a stubborn tear tore its way down his cheek.

“I don’t, I just…” Tadashi started. And Shoyou waited, trying to be patient and understanding the way Tadashi had always been with him, “I’ve been trying to work things out with Tsuki but it’s not… I don’t know it feels like I’m further away from him than ever.”

Shoyou’s stomach dropped. This was all because of his stupid idea to fake date Tadashi. But he shoved away the self loathing for later and focused instead on how to comfort Tadashi.

“Have you been talking to him?” Shoyou asked, climbing on the bed beside Tadashi.

Tadashi looked at his phone again and grimaced, “I’ve been trying. But everytime I do I get angry and we end up fighting all over again. Sho he was mean to you, like actually mean. And he knows I… He knows why that would upset me so much.”

Shoyou caught the way that Tadashi’s chest was rising and falling more rapidly, he worried his lip between his teeth harshly until beads of blood popped up. Shoyou frowned and his chest got heavier.

“He hasn’t apologized to you,” Tadashi says, small and defeated.

Shoyou shakes his head slowly. He hadn’t even thought about that, that Tsukishima might need to apologize. Gosh, what did that say about his self-esteem?

“Do you think that would help?” Shoyou asked.

Tadashi shrugged, “Maybe. I don’t really know.”

Tadashi glanced back at his phone again.

“What were you guys talking about?” Shoyou asked.

Tadashi’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t been expecting that. His cheeks blossomed a rosy color.

“You can… read it if you want I guess,” Tadashi offered, reaching over to unlock his phone.

“Oh! It’s okay I don’t wanna, uh, intrude,” Shoyou jumped back and gestured exaggeratedly in his embarrassment.

“Oh, s’okay you totally can,” Tadashi said, more sure this time.

So Shoyou obliged.

Tsuki (21:23)
I don’t understand why you can’t just let this go.

Me (21:24)
BECAUSE Tsuki! You were MEAN, deliberately. You were trying to hurt his feelings even knowing who he is to me, what he means to me.

Tsuki (21:24)
Okay, I’m sorry. Like I’ve said.

Me (21:25)
TELL HIM THAT!!!

Tsuki (21:25)
He doesn’t want to hear that from me.

Me (21:25)
You don’t know that. Shoyou is kinder than you realize. Sensitive too, okay? You hurt his feelings. So it’s not okay until you ask HIM for forgiveness.

Tsuki (21:26)
Wtv.
Yams, seriously I don’t want to keep fighting about this.
Yams.
Yamaguchi.
(21:39)
Okay, fine, whatever go be with your stupid boyfriend.

The most recent text was sent as Shoyou was reading. His face was burning now too. It was weird to read “boyfriend” like that in a serious context. But Tadashi also complimented him, defended him. He couldn’t remember when that had happened last.

“I only read from here,” Shoyou mumbled, eyes staring at the comforter as he passed the phone back to Tadashi.

Tadashi mumbled his thanks and tossed his phone to the side again.

“Yea, it’s not great. This is pretty much the same conversation we had yesterday and the day before. Why can’t he just swallow his pride and say one measly sorry?” Tadashi groaned, falling onto his back.

Shoyou shrugged, hating the way that Tadashi’s face wrinkled in distress. Hating the way he was responsible for it all. Tadashi was so kind, having indulged him in this little experiment but now the entire reason for it was down the drain.

“I’m sorry, this is my fault,” Shoyou sighed.

Tadashi tensed and Shoyou couldn’t stand to see his face so he closed his eyes and put his head in his hands.

“Maybe we shouldn’t do this anymore. Maybe if Tsukishima saw we weren’t together, things would go back to the way they were,” Shoyou mumbled.

Tadashi sat up so fast Shoyou couldn’t keep track of his movements. And then he was sitting in front of Shoyou with his hands on his shoulders. His eyes were blown wide and he looked… scared.

“No, wait, wait. That’s not what- I mean, I-” Tadashi’s eyes darted around Shoyou’s face in a panic.

“I mean we were only doing this because of a stupid idea I had about you and Tsukishima anyways and now that’s sort of ruined. Because of my stupid idea,” Shoyou frowned, watching Tadashi’s eyes wet.

“But now this… I mean you’re like all I have right now,” Tadashi took a deep breath.

Shoyou blushed, unwillingly, and truly didn’t know what to say. Did Tadashi think that if they stopped fake dating Shoyou wouldn’t want anything to do with them? That made no sense at all.

“But, we can still be friends. I mean that’s technically what we are now right?” Shoyou said, peering up at Tadashi and cocking his head to the side.

“Well yea. I guess, I don’t know, I've never been this close to someone other than Tsuki and it’s… nice! I like spending time with you Shoyou,” Tadashi said.

Shoyou, still not really understanding why Tadashi was freaking out, said, “I like spending time with you too Tadashi! I still want to hangout with you and stuff! But don’t you think still lying to Tsukishima is going to make things worse?”

Tadashi frowned and dropped his hands to his sides. Shoyou’s heart panged, hands reaching out to take Tadashi’s before he could register it. Anything, Shoyou would do anything to keep a smile on Tadashi’s face.

“Well we can… uh, I mean we can stop lying?” Shoyou offered.

Offered what he didn’t know, the words just tumbled out that way. He wanted to do anything he could to cheer Tadashi up, to reassure him that he wasn’t going to leave.

Because of course he wouldn’t. Why would he? He LOVED hanging out with Tadashi. His family was so nice to him, Tadashi himself was a joy to be around. And he treated Shoyou like he was something special, he complimented him and guided him. Not only as team captain but as his friend. Tadashi was great, perfect even, he wouldn’t leave.

“What do you mean?” Tadashi asked, suddenly way more serious.

Shoyou… didn’t really know what he meant at all, so he said as much. Tadashi’s eyes shined and he suddenly looked slightly amused. Shoyou felt his face heat up and he had to look away.

“You mean like… stop pretending?” Tadashi prompted, using a finger to draw Shoyou’s eyes back to him.

Shoyou suddenly understood what he had implied. And, honestly, he wasn’t all that upset by it. Why wasn’t he upset by it? This had started as a plan to rid himself of his crush on Kageyama, but instead he ended up with a crush on Tadashi?

Well, it wasn’t the same. Kageyama was more of an infatuation fueled by challenge and admiration. With Tadashi, it felt more like… like standing side by side and taking things on together. Like knowing someone and having them know you.

And well, what about his crush on Kageyama after all. It hadn’t gone away, in fact he was still worried about what Kageyama felt about him. That wasn’t fair to Tadashi then, was it? And what about Tadashi, his crush on Tsukishima? Well, that might be more on the ropes now.

“Sho? You lost up there?” Tadashi asked, tapping a finger on Shoyou’s forehead.

“Oh!” Shoyou squeaked, “sorry. I’m just… What about your crush on Tsukishima! And, well, honestly, I don’t think I stopped having a crush on Kageyama either. But I do have a crush on you! I think. I’m not sure this is only the second time this has happened to me. But I think you’re really nice and I love being around you and your freckles, ohmygoshyourfreckles-”

“Oh jeez! Okay! I get it!” Tadashi said, turning his face into his shoulder to hide his VERY obvious blush.

Shoyou was sure he looked redder than his hair too so he didn’t comment. Instead he just squeezed Tadashi’s hands and stared at him. His heart was beating frantically, excitedly. It was like the feeling of being midair, about to his a spike, and seeing the tip of the blocker’s fingers or the space between them to hit the ball. Like he was free.

“I think I do want to stop pretending,” Shoyou said, nervous but also hopeful.

Tadashi’s mouth fell open. He didn’t look baffled, exactly, but more surprised. He exhaled shakily and detached one of his hands, reaching between them to put it on Shoyou’s cheek.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispered.

Shoyou nodded, far too enthusiastically and practically lept at Tadashi to capture his lips. Tadashi let out a small noise of surprise before getting the memo and wrapping his arms around Shoyou’s frame. Not knowing what to do with his hands, Shoyou left them dangling between them.

Shoyou had never kissed anyone like this before and it was very very obvious. His lips fumbled over Tadashi’s slipping to his cheek when he got too excited. He didn’t have any rhythm at all. If it was possible for his lips to be out of sync they would have been.

Shoyou was about to pull away out of embarrassment when Tadashi smiled into the kiss and laughed. The sound was so pure it startled a laugh out of Shoyou as well. There they were, two idiots laughing against each other’s mouths.

“You kinda taste like ice cream,” Tadashi giggled.

Shoyou huffed, “probably because I had ice cream.”

Tadashi just laughed some more, falling back on his bed and taking Shoyou with him. They landed in a tangle of limbs, Shoyou’s arms trapped between his body and Tadashi’s and his legs in a weird splay.

“Please don’t fall asleep, this is so uncomfortable,” Shoyou said against Tadashi’s chest.

Tadashi just laughed.

Chapter Text

Morning came faster than Shoyou wanted it to, the sun blazed in from the window and hit him square in the face. He threw an arm over his eyes and groaned, rubbing the sleep away reluctantly. He was alone in the bed, blankets tucked around him nicely. Tadashi must have done that when he got up.

He laid there for as long as he could keep the blissful stage between sleep and wakefulness alive. When his phone buzzed obnoxiously on the dresser, however, he felt the peace drift away. The time read 10:28, which meant Shoyou had slept in far later than he’d meant to and that Tadashi was probably waiting on him to get up.

He rolled out of bed gracelessly and hit the floor hard. The rug tucked half under Tadashi’s bed folded as he scrambled against the floor. Once he was up, he tumbled into the bathroom and brushed his teeth a bit too fast for them to be completely clean. His hip hit the doorframe on the way out and he hissed in pain, knees bending as he folded over himself and clutched at his side.

“Shoyou?” Tadashi called from downstairs.

Shoyou could only grunt, teeth still grinding together from the throbbing pain in his side. He slid down the banister wall and tried to breathe quietly, to not let everybody see him in such an embarrassing state.

There were heavy steps coming up the stairs so Shoyou jumped up with too much force and ended up almost over the wall entirely, the danger of falling to the first floor sending adrenaline through him. He also made eye contact with Tadashi during his few seconds midair and it sent a totally different wave of emotion through him.

“Shoyou!” Tadashi yelled, racing up the stairs and grabbing Shoyou’s shoulders after he landed on his feet, “what the hell? Are you okay? That was dangerous, I’m not sure if you’re used to a two story house but you could’ve really hurt yourself if you had fallen over and-”

Tadashi’s words faded into the background as Shoyou stared up at him with a newfound appreciation. Since their fake dating charade began it’s felt like Tadashi had been slowly coming into focus. Where Shoyou wouldn’t have normally been able to describe him more accurately than a volleyball, now he found himself studying his expressions and facial features.

Right now Tadashi had a little wrinkle in his brow as his eyes bore down into Shoyou’s. His face was squished up in a little pout which made his cheeks look rounder than usual. His hair wasn’t messy but it wasn’t styled, strands flopping around in his face.

“Shoyou you aren’t hearing a thing I’m saying are you?” Tadashi grumbled.

Shoyou jumped and felt the heat spread across his face in a fierce blush, “you’re really pretty.”

Tadashi’s mouch snapped shut and the exasperated look on his face was replaced by one of embarrassment. Shoyou loved the way that angry wrinkle disappeared. Instinctually, he reached up and booped Tadashi on the nose. His stomach grumbled.

“Ooo, is there food?” Shoyou asked, distracted by his hunger.

Tadashi mumbled something but Shoyou hardly caught it, chasing a whiff of sweetness that wafted upstairs. He hopped over the last three stairs and landed with an oof. Chika giggled from her place at the dining table.

“Morfin Soyo” she greeted through a mouthful of… cinnamon rolls.

Yumiho grinned at him from over the kitchen counter, one hand propped on her hip and the other sliding a plate of 3 cinnamon rolls across the counter. They were fluffy and covered in sugary frosting that dripped down the sides in tantalizing strings.

“Good morning! Thank you for the food!” Shoyou beamed his brightest grin at Yumiho and threw himself into the chair across from Chika.

She giggled some more, spit soaked crumbs flying from her mouth as she did so. Distantly Shoyou heard Kogori chastising the little girl for poor manners but he couldn’t look up from this incredible meal that simply melted in his mouth.

If it had been a long time since Shoyou had a home cooked dinner, it had been even longer since someone cooked him a proper breakfast. He’s not even sure he can call cinnamon rolls ‘proper’ breakfast but they were special and seemed to be made with him in mind. With the other Yamaguchi’s in mind too. It was sweet, in more than one way.

“Jeez Sho, just barrel right by me why don’t you,” Tadashi sighed, trudging into the kitchen and grabbing his plate of half-eaten cinnamon rolls to slide next to Shoyou.

Shoyou glanced to the side and smiled, mouth closed and full of food. Tadashi chuckled.

He’d definitely have to bring Natsu around here.

***

After he’d left the Yamaguchi house Shoyou went home with a pep in his step. His chest felt lighter after talking things through with Tadashi. Even if the other two third years were still problems.

Regardless!

Shoyou’s weekend went by pretty fast, he worked on some volleyball with Natsu, reluctantly did his homework, and sketched out a plan for how to deal with Tsukishima. Oh, and of course he was texting his boyfriend. He’d asked Tadashi the night he got home whether or not they were actually boyfriends and Tadashi asked him what he wanted.

And, well, Shoyou had never been this sure about something outside of volleyball. Boyfriend. Huh.

By the time Monday rolled around Shoyou was biking to school with a smile plastered to his face and determination to talk to Tsukishima. He had no more patience for sitting around and waiting for the tall blonde to approach him. They needed to fix this, regardless of if Tsukishima could apologize. Because Tadashi was worried about it all weekend and those two hadn’t texted since the conversation Shoyou read.

Shoyou ran through it in his head as he was tying up his bicycle. He’d gotten there even earlier than usual for morning practice so he’d be able to prepare himself. He was going to get changed and wait for Tsukishima in the gym. He was usually one of the last people there for morning practice so when he did get there to stretch, Shoyou would corner him and force them to talk.

Yea, great plan Shoyou.

He was humming a song Tadashi had sent him last night as he unlocked the door to the clubroom. He rocked his hip against the door and spun into the room, one hand on the doorknob to keep himself from falling back.

“What the hell are you doing,” someone said from behind him.

Shoyou yelped, letting go of the door and falling back on his butt. He whined from the pain and rubbed his lower back. There were some shuffling noises from behind him and then Tsukishima was suddenly in front of him, hand outstretched.

“That was really stupid,” he deadpanned.

Shoyou blinked a few times, wondering if getting up a bit earlier meant he was hallucinating. He reached for the hand offered to him and Tsukishima yanked him up.

Tsukishima looked… well terrible if he was being honest. He had dark circles under his eyes that were almost framed by his glasses. His hair was sort of ruffled instead of his usual straight brushed look. Even his uniform looked messy.

“Can you not stare at me, I know I look like shit,” Tsukishima mumbled, shoving Shoyou away from him as he turned around to throw stuff in his locker.

“Why are you early? You’re never early,” Shoyou asked, slowly stepping around to get another look at Tsukishima’s face. His steps were tentative like he was approaching a wild animal.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Tsukishima spat.

Shoyou reeled back, he hadn’t slept at all? Or did he mean he woke up and then couldn’t fall back asleep? Tsukishima did seem like a grandpa that would have to pee in the middle of the night.

Tsukishima dropping his shoes on his own foot snapped Shoyou back to reality. The blonde hissed at the pain and then slammed his locker shut with too much strength, making the rest of the lockers reverberate around it.

This was honestly the perfect scenario. He’d get plenty of alone time to talk to Tsukishima with him being here so early and all. But something about how… drained Tsukishima looked made Shoyou feel bad for him. Made him not want to bother him with an emotional conversation so early in the morning.

“I can hear your gears turning shut up,” Tsukishima grumbled.

Shoyou took the hint and continued his thinking as he slipped into his own volleyball uniform. He stole glances back a few times and caught Tsukishima having to sit down to slip on his socks because he kept wobbling when standing on one foot.

Was he up all night thinking about Tadashi? Or worse, being mad at Shoyou? Both?

Shoyou didn’t know what the right move was in this situation. If Tsukishima had a separate problem going on, talking now would be a terrible idea. If Tsukishima was up all night because of the problem with Shoyou and Tadashi, then this talk might make him feel better!

It was a gamble Shoyou was not excited to take.

Shoyou waited for Tsukishima to finish getting dressed, even though he’d started first, and the two walked to the gym together. Shoyou fished out his key to unlock the doors and felt his mood lift immediately at the sight of the volleyball court.

Yea, he was going to talk to Tsukishima anyway.

Tsukishima went toward the storage closet to stretch, as he usually did, but Shoyou got to work setting up the court like his Vice Captain duties specified. He thought about asking Tsukishima for help but decided he wanted to avoid any unnecessary arguments that could come of it.

However, when he got to putting up the net, he found it much harder to do on his own, and at his height. Unprompted, and surprisingly, Tsukishima got up to help him.

“You’re such a shrimp,” Tsukishima mumbled.

His comment lacked malice though, it was traditional teasing. A kind Shoyou was comfortably familiar with.

“A shrimp that can fly higher than you,” Shoyou stuck his tongue out at Tsukishima.

Tsukishima clicked his tongue against his teeth as he fastened the net, “for now. Don’t get too comfortable or I might overtake you still.”

Shoyou couldn’t help but smile, “just try me Tsukishima! Just cuz you’re all tall and… stuff doesn’t mean you can catch up to me so quick.”

“Sure it does, what if I start jumping just as high as you, with all my extra inches nobody could touch me in the air.”

“You don’t even like jumping that much! Kageyama still has to get on your ass about doing your best!”

“As if Kageyama doesn’t yell at you the most out of anyone!”

“It’s because he knows I can do better than anybody and he wants me to be the best.”

“No he wants to be the best, he’s the king, you are just a tool for him to use to get there.”

“And he’s just my tool too! It goes both ways Tsukishima! Besides you’re just a tool for him too, so is Seki and Oiichi, even Tadashi!”

Tsukishima froze at the mention of Tadashi. They had marched closer to each other as the “argument” continued, both of them sporting wild grins as they did so. That banter was comfortable, familiar, and something they both needed after the daunting tension that had overtaken them.

It was only because they were now so close that Shoyou could see the uncertainty on Tsukishima’s face, the grimace at the mention of Tadashi. Shoyou didn’t know why he’d even mentioned him, well his boyfriend was often on his mind so it did make sense but things were going so well!

Tsukishima recovered quickly, putting on his annoyed expression and pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He turned around and started walking back toward where he was stretching.

Well, it was now or never. So he jogged to catch up to the tall boy.

“Tsukishima,” Shoyou tried, “we have to talk about this.”

Tsukishima kept walking as if he didn’t hear him. Shoyou sprinted to get right in front of him and crowded into his space, one hand pushing on his chest to get him to stop.

“This is affecting the team and, more importantly, it’s really upsetting Tadashi and I really don’t want to do either of those things. So we need to talk about why you hate me now! Or I guess I’ve had a few guesses but we need to figure out what to do about it because well, Tadashi and I are together and that’s not gonna change or anything so I’m not sure how to- what to-” this was not going how Shoyou had planned it in his head.

“Shut up! Shut the fuck up Hinata! With your ‘Tadashi this’ and ‘Tadashi that’. I don’t care that you’re dating him okay, I don’t fucking care. I don’t even care enough to hate you. You just… piss me off!” Tsukishima says, eyes glaring down at Shoyou with mirth, and what he’d describe as hate despite but Tsukishima just said.

“No! I mean, yea I piss you off I know that you always say that. But you were never so mean to me or so angry that you didn’t speak to me! I know it’s about Tadashi because you like him right? You’ve liked him for a while, right?” Shoyou said pushing harder. He was saying too much too quickly. This was going to turn into another fight.

But instead of pushing back, Tsukishima let Shoyou’s force knock him back a few steps. His angry scowl dropped off of his face like it wasn’t even meant to be there. Like it was exhausting Tsukishima to keep it there.

“Don’t you ever stop talking,” Tsukishima said, whispered really.

He’d turned his head down to look at the floor and his bangs shadowed his eyes so Shoyou couldn’t really see what expression he was making.

“No,” Shoyou whispered back, “that’s why I piss you off, I think.”

Tsukishima glanced up at him and he just looked exhausted. Shoyou took pity on him and grabbed his wrist, tugging him toward the wall so Tsukishima could slide down to sit on the floor. Shoyou sat next to him and they remained in silence for a while.

“I’m sorry I was so mean to you,” Tsukishima finally whispered.

Shoyou’s head whipped around to look at him. He had not been expecting Tsukishima to apologize. But he hadn’t expected any of this really so it was just adding to the list. Shoyou stared at the net as he tried to rationalize what to say next. Something that wouldn’t make it worse.

But before he could, he heard Tsukishima sliding and glanced over to watch his body slump against the wall. Instinctually, he moved to catch him, grabbing his shoulders to push him upright. Tsukishima’s head fell against his shoulder, most of his weight now leaning on Shoyou.

He’d fallen asleep.

Shoyou dared to turn his head to look at the clock. He wouldn’t normally get here for another thirty minutes and Tadashi usually gets here only minutes after him. He’d let Tsukishima sleep for now.

But they still had a lot to talk about when he woke up.